Tips for Parents
Is your child drinking or using drugs? Here is information and resources that can help you deal with the family situation.
No Place to Hide
Eighth graders in rural America are 29 percent more likely to drink alcohol and 70 percent more likely to have been drunk than kids in larger cities.
Eighth graders in rural America are 29 percent more likely to drink alcohol and 70 percent more likely to have been drunk than kids in larger cities.
Treating Adolescents
Treating adolescent addicts and alcoholics in adolescence-only centers has never been demonstrated to produce better recovery rates.
Treating adolescent addicts and alcoholics in adolescence-only centers has never been demonstrated to produce better recovery rates.
Is My Child Using Drugs or Alcohol?
This screening quiz for parents can help determine of your child is exhibiting some of the tell-tell signs of substance abuse.
This screening quiz for parents can help determine of your child is exhibiting some of the tell-tell signs of substance abuse.
Is Your Teenager Using?
If your child is using alcohol and drugs, it's a good bet he (or she) is probably doing everything possible to keep that activity hidden.
If your child is using alcohol and drugs, it's a good bet he (or she) is probably doing everything possible to keep that activity hidden.
How Will Your Child Drink?
Children learn their attitudes about drinking from those around them, especially from parents or other adults, but also from their peers.
Children learn their attitudes about drinking from those around them, especially from parents or other adults, but also from their peers.
Holding Parents Accountable
Parents who decide to begin early teaching their children to drink "responsibly" may want to rethink that position due to a growing number of laws going on the books.
Parents who decide to begin early teaching their children to drink "responsibly" may want to rethink that position due to a growing number of laws going on the books.
Motivation for Teen Drinking May Signal Problems
Most high school students who drink do so to experiment with alcohol, have fun or relax. Those who drink to deal with problems, anger or frustration, however, are the drinkers who exhibit the most problematic drinking behaviors.
Most high school students who drink do so to experiment with alcohol, have fun or relax. Those who drink to deal with problems, anger or frustration, however, are the drinkers who exhibit the most problematic drinking behaviors.
Kids Introduced to Alcohol by Sipping at Home
Many children get their first exposure to alcohol in their own home not by drinking, but by sipping and tasting alcohol by the age of eight to 10.
Many children get their first exposure to alcohol in their own home not by drinking, but by sipping and tasting alcohol by the age of eight to 10.
Friendly Kids Most Influenced by Peer Drinking
A Dutch study has found that friendly young people, those who score high on the personality dimension friendliness, are the most sensitive to the influence of their peers on how much they drink themselves.
A Dutch study has found that friendly young people, those who score high on the personality dimension friendliness, are the most sensitive to the influence of their peers on how much they drink themselves.
Psychological Trait in Boys Could Be Indicator of Drug Abuse Risks
A psychological trait known as neurobehavioral disinhibition found in boys aged 10 to 12 could be a screening tool for those who will develop substance abuse disorders by age 19 as well as predict criminal activity, violent behavior and injuries.
A psychological trait known as neurobehavioral disinhibition found in boys aged 10 to 12 could be a screening tool for those who will develop substance abuse disorders by age 19 as well as predict criminal activity, violent behavior and injuries.
Many Popular Songs Reference Substance Abuse
Chances are, if your children have earbuds plugged in, every third song they listen to contains references to some form of substance abuse, usually in a positive way.
Chances are, if your children have earbuds plugged in, every third song they listen to contains references to some form of substance abuse, usually in a positive way.
Majority of Adolescents Drink Alcohol
Almost 54 percent of all adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 20 have drank an alcoholic beverage at least once in their lifetime.
Almost 54 percent of all adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 20 have drank an alcoholic beverage at least once in their lifetime.
Lack of Teen Sleep Can Lead to Drinking, Smoking
Sleep loss or disturbed sleep can increase the risk for teens to take up smoking and drinking, according to a study of 1,362 high school students.
Sleep loss or disturbed sleep can increase the risk for teens to take up smoking and drinking, according to a study of 1,362 high school students.
Most Parents Are Aware of Teens' Substance Abuse
Contrary to popular belief, most parents are aware of and can accurately evaluate the extent of their teenager's drinking, cigarette smoking, marijuana use and overall substance abuse.
Contrary to popular belief, most parents are aware of and can accurately evaluate the extent of their teenager's drinking, cigarette smoking, marijuana use and overall substance abuse.
Teens Turn to Pot After Parental Break-Ups
Parents who split up and move in with new partners can unwittingly push their children towards marijuana use, according to a study of 3,008 mothers and their children conducted in Brisbane, Australia.
Parents who split up and move in with new partners can unwittingly push their children towards marijuana use, according to a study of 3,008 mothers and their children conducted in Brisbane, Australia.
Pre-Teen Low Self-Esteem Linked to Drug Use
Parents who have boys with low self-esteem at age 11, and have friends who approve of drug and alcohol use, should be concerned that self-derogation could turn into drug dependency by age 20, according to researchers at Florida State University.
Parents who have boys with low self-esteem at age 11, and have friends who approve of drug and alcohol use, should be concerned that self-derogation could turn into drug dependency by age 20, according to researchers at Florida State University.
More Are Beginning to Use Drugs Before Age 13
The number of people, being treated for drug abuse, who report that they began using at least one drug before age of 13 is increasing significantly according to a study of treatment patients between 1993 and 2003.
The number of people, being treated for drug abuse, who report that they began using at least one drug before age of 13 is increasing significantly according to a study of treatment patients between 1993 and 2003.
Parents Influence How Teens Think About Substance Abuse
Research shows that involved parenting actually affects teenagers' thought processes when it comes to such substances, giving teens a negative view of people who drink or smoke cigarettes or marijuana, and insuring the teens won't use such substances even when they're easily available.
Research shows that involved parenting actually affects teenagers' thought processes when it comes to such substances, giving teens a negative view of people who drink or smoke cigarettes or marijuana, and insuring the teens won't use such substances even when they're easily available.
Parents Need to Discuss College Drinking Dangers
As the fall semester begins, parents can use this important time to help prepare their college-age sons and daughters by talking with them about the consequences of excessive drinking.
As the fall semester begins, parents can use this important time to help prepare their college-age sons and daughters by talking with them about the consequences of excessive drinking.
Sex, Drug Use Increase Teen Depression, Suicide
Teens who engage in sexual intercourse and/or drug abuse, including abuse of alcohol and tobacco, are significantly more likely than youth who abstain from such activities to become depressed, have suicidal thoughts, and attempt suicide.
Teens who engage in sexual intercourse and/or drug abuse, including abuse of alcohol and tobacco, are significantly more likely than youth who abstain from such activities to become depressed, have suicidal thoughts, and attempt suicide.
Scientists Uncover Risk Factors for Teen Marijuana Use
Involvement with other substances, delinquency and school problems have been established as the three most important risk factors in identifying teenagers at risk of continued involvement with marijuana.
Involvement with other substances, delinquency and school problems have been established as the three most important risk factors in identifying teenagers at risk of continued involvement with marijuana.
Parents Seeking Help Signal Youth Drinking Problems
Al-Anon Family Groups are traditionally considered a mutual support group for the spouses of alcoholics, but the latest membership survey shows that 31 percent of Al-Anon members have a child with a drinking problem.
Al-Anon Family Groups are traditionally considered a mutual support group for the spouses of alcoholics, but the latest membership survey shows that 31 percent of Al-Anon members have a child with a drinking problem.
Youth Alcohol Consumption Remains High
Although the prevalence of underage drinking has decreased since its peak in the late 1970s, drinking by youth has stabilized over the past decade at disturbingly high levels.
Although the prevalence of underage drinking has decreased since its peak in the late 1970s, drinking by youth has stabilized over the past decade at disturbingly high levels.
Normal Teens Not 'Ticking Time Bombs'
Contrary to the psychoanalytic theory that children who appear to be well adjusted as adolescents are actually ticking time bombs, most normal teenagers adapt to and benefit from life experiences.
Contrary to the psychoanalytic theory that children who appear to be well adjusted as adolescents are actually ticking time bombs, most normal teenagers adapt to and benefit from life experiences.
Signals of Teen Substance Abuse Risk
The more sexually active friends a teen has and the more time a teen spends with a boyfriend or girlfriend, the greater the risk that teen will smoke, drink, get drunk or use illegal drugs, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
The more sexually active friends a teen has and the more time a teen spends with a boyfriend or girlfriend, the greater the risk that teen will smoke, drink, get drunk or use illegal drugs, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
Religious Activity Equals Less Sex, Drugs For Some Teens
High levels of church attendance in the ninth grade may protect some African-American teenagers from getting involved in risky behaviors throughout the rest of their high school career, a new study suggests.
High levels of church attendance in the ninth grade may protect some African-American teenagers from getting involved in risky behaviors throughout the rest of their high school career, a new study suggests.
How Will Your Child Drink?
Children learn their attitudes about drinking from those around them, especially from parents or other adults, but also from their peers.
Children learn their attitudes about drinking from those around them, especially from parents or other adults, but also from their peers.
Just a Phase? Maybe not.
Teen-agers who exhibit symptoms of drinking problems today are more likely to develop serious drinking problems, other substance abuse, and mental disorders in early adulthood.
Teen-agers who exhibit symptoms of drinking problems today are more likely to develop serious drinking problems, other substance abuse, and mental disorders in early adulthood.
Is Your Child at Risk to Use Drugs?
Teens who crave an especially great degree of stimulation and excitement have a much greater risk for drug and alcohol abuse. Fortunately, sensation seeking can be channeled into healthy outlets.
Teens who crave an especially great degree of stimulation and excitement have a much greater risk for drug and alcohol abuse. Fortunately, sensation seeking can be channeled into healthy outlets.
Friends Factor in Early Drug and Alcohol Use
If your children are hanging out with friends who drink and do drugs the chances that they will also drink and drug, if they are not already doing so, according to a report from Statistics Canada.
If your children are hanging out with friends who drink and do drugs the chances that they will also drink and drug, if they are not already doing so, according to a report from Statistics Canada.
Standard Youth Treatment May Not Be Enough
While many adolescents reduce their alcohol use and have fewer related problems following treatment, a significant proportion continue to drink and/or use other drugs, have poor relations with family and friends, and experience academic problems.
While many adolescents reduce their alcohol use and have fewer related problems following treatment, a significant proportion continue to drink and/or use other drugs, have poor relations with family and friends, and experience academic problems.
Don't Over-React!
Parents who discover that their teen-ager is drinking or using drugs are being encouraged not to over-react, but to carefully assess the entire situation before taking action.
Parents who discover that their teen-ager is drinking or using drugs are being encouraged not to over-react, but to carefully assess the entire situation before taking action.
Early Sleep Problems Signal Later Substance Use
Researchers have discovered an association between sleep problems during early childhood and substance abuse during adolescence.
Researchers have discovered an association between sleep problems during early childhood and substance abuse during adolescence.
Kids Drink 11 Percent of U.S. Booze
Underage drinkers account for 11 percent of all the alcohol consumed in the U.S., according to a new report released by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
Underage drinkers account for 11 percent of all the alcohol consumed in the U.S., according to a new report released by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.
Learning Disabilities and Drinking
Children with learning disabilities may be more likely to end up drinking, smoking and using drugs, according to research by Columbia University.
Children with learning disabilities may be more likely to end up drinking, smoking and using drugs, according to research by Columbia University.
Parent Training Can Change Kids' Attitude
A seven-week program to improve communication skills and vigilant parenting among rural black families made younger family members think more negatively of alcohol use and early sexual activity.
A seven-week program to improve communication skills and vigilant parenting among rural black families made younger family members think more negatively of alcohol use and early sexual activity.
Questions Parents Should Ask
According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse these are questions parents should ask their child's school.
According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse these are questions parents should ask their child's school.
Parents, It's Not Your Fault!
Are you sick of being told that everything that goes wrong with your child is your fault? The one who can respond, is the one who is responsible.
Are you sick of being told that everything that goes wrong with your child is your fault? The one who can respond, is the one who is responsible.
Teens and Alcohol Don’t Mix
The focus of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Month observance is underage drinking, a problem that shatters young lives and communities.
The focus of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Month observance is underage drinking, a problem that shatters young lives and communities.
Teen Drinking and Behavior
Adolescents, age 12 to 17, who use alcohol are more likely to report behavioral problems, especially aggressive, delinquent and criminal behaviors.
Adolescents, age 12 to 17, who use alcohol are more likely to report behavioral problems, especially aggressive, delinquent and criminal behaviors.
Child and Adolescent Depression
There is evidence that depression emerging early in life often persists, recurs, and continues into adulthood.
There is evidence that depression emerging early in life often persists, recurs, and continues into adulthood.
Parents Warned About Home Drug-Testing Kits
Home drug-testing kits sold on the Internet may not be the best way to determine if an adolescent is or is not using drugs because it is not easy for parents to know which test to choose, how to collect a urine or hair sample for testing, or understand the limits of test results
Home drug-testing kits sold on the Internet may not be the best way to determine if an adolescent is or is not using drugs because it is not easy for parents to know which test to choose, how to collect a urine or hair sample for testing, or understand the limits of test results
Tips For Teens
Speaking frankly with teens about alcohol and drug use is a challenge for any friend, parent or caring adult. Questions and concerns are sure to abound. SAMHSA's revamped brochure can help.
Speaking frankly with teens about alcohol and drug use is a challenge for any friend, parent or caring adult. Questions and concerns are sure to abound. SAMHSA's revamped brochure can help.
How to Report Child Abuse
If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, you should call your local Child Protective Services (CPS) agency or the CPS agency in the State in which the abuse occurred.
If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, you should call your local Child Protective Services (CPS) agency or the CPS agency in the State in which the abuse occurred.